IRCC Invited 3,800 Candidates to the Category-Based Express Entry Draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another French language category-based draw for the month. The draw issued invitations to 3,800 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 375 to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry Draws Overview – July and June

On July 11, IRCC held an all-program draw and invited 800 applicants. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 505, which is lower than the 511 necessary for candidates in the July 4 draw but much higher than the three category-based selection invites from the previous week.

The IRCC held draws on four consecutive days from July 4 to July 7. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also conducted a surprise all-program express entry draw, inviting 700 candidates with a CRS score of 511. The needed CRS score for this particular all-program draw in 2023 was the highest one to date.

On July 5, in the second draw of the week, individuals with prior job experience in specific STEM fields were invited to participate in the anticipated first-ever round of invitations. A total of 500 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 486 were invited by IRCC.

With a cut-off CRS score of 463, the third draw from last week invited 1,500 applicants on July 6 for a category-based selection draw for healthcare professionals.

On June 27, the fourth draw of the week took place which issued ITAs to 2300 individuals with a minimum CRS of 439 and strong French language proficiency. On June 28, IRCC held its first-ever Express Entry category-based lottery inviting 500 healthcare professionals with a minimum CRS score of 476. On that same day, IRCC revealed that this week’s category-based Express Entry round would include STEM occupations as an invitational group.

New Category-Based Selections

On May 31, IRCC disclosed that it would start holding lotteries later in the summer for Express Entry applicants who fit into six new categories. The introduction of these six new categories offers exciting opportunities for prospective immigrants to pursue their dreams of living and working in Canada. Express Entry drawings will now prioritize applicants with a strong French language proficiency or job experience in the following streams:

The categories include:

• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professions
• Carpenters, Plumbers, and Contractors
• Transport
• Agriculture and Agri-Food

Express Entry selection draws for these new categories have already started as IRCC held its first category-based selection draw last week. To be eligible for an ITA in the targeted drawings, they must be in the Express Entry pool. Express Entry applicants who meet the requirements will still be ranked, according to IRCC, and those with the highest scores will receive ITAs.